Here is a great article by Jeff Gaudette from Runner’s Connect with some excellent information about how the effort level of different types of sessions feel, which equate to sessions to sessions we also do. Read it carefully!!
Did you know that one of most critical elements to race day success is your ability to run your goal pace on target?
Every current world record, from the 1500 meters to the marathon, has been set running negative splits. In fact, according to research by Dr. Tim Noakes, Ross Tucker, and Mike Lambert, in the history of world record breaking runs at the 5,000 and 10,00 meter distances, only once has any kilometer other than the last been the fastest of the race.
Further analyzing the greatest performances in history at events from the 5k to the marathon reveals another statistic about the importance of pacing, specifically, how fine the line is between too fast and too slow.
Consider Haile Gebrselassie’s world record attempts at Berlin in 2008, where he became the first person to run under 2:04 for the marathon, and Dubai in 2009, where he faded badly the last 10 kilometers.
In Dubai, Gebreselssie was a mere 23 seconds faster at halfway compared to his world record pace in Berlin the year before. However, even this small shift in pace (about one second per kilometer) resulted in a crash that resulted in him finishing some 90 seconds slower than his Berlin time over the final 10k.
The ability to properly adjust your effort as an experienced runner is critical when you’re pushing for that last one percent improvement to breakthrough the plateau. When you learn to comprehend exactly what certain workouts should feel like, you can easily adjust for weather conditions, workout days when you’re not on your game, and any other wrench that might get thrown into your training.
In this email, you’ll learn the purpose of three important types of workouts ( steady runs, tempo runs, and VO2 max workouts) and how to properly “feel” the proper pace and effort.
Steady state or marathon pace runs
Steady runs, or marathon paces runs, are a great way to build aerobic strength, which is the foundation for your best performances from 5k to the marathon. From a pacing perspective, steady runs are completed anywhere between 10 seconds faster and 30 seconds slower than marathon pace. Quite a pace range, but just another reason learning to run steady runs by feel is important.
What are the training benefits of a steady run
Running at your steady pace maximizes development of your aerobic threshold – the fastest pace you can run while still remaining completely aerobic (meaning your muscles have enough oxygen to produce all the energy they need). Developing your aerobic threshold is important because the aerobic energy system supplies more than 85 percent of the energy needed for distances of 5k or longer. The more you can develop your aerobic system over months and years of training, the faster you’ll be able to run long-term.
What does a steady run feel like
A steady run should feel “comfortably hard”. Meaning, you could keep up the pace for an hour or more, but it’s not exactly easy. Since “comfortably hard” might mean something different to every runner, you can monitor your breathing rhythm to get a better feel for what a steady run is.
Steady runs should typically be performed while breathing at a 3:3 ratio (three steps – one with your left, one with your right, one with your left – while breathing in; three steps – one with your left, one with your right, one with your left – while breathing out). A 3:3 breathing rhythm enables you take about 30 breaths per minute, which is needed for running “comfortably hard”.
The talk test
Another easy way to test whether you’re running in the range of steady pace is to perform what is called the “talk test”. While running, try to speak out-loud. If you can get out a three to four short sentences, but can’t quote Shakespeare, you’re running at a steady pace. If you can only blurt out one or two sentences before you start grasping for breath, you’re running too hard.
Tempo or threshold run
The tempo run is the bread and butter of most training schedules and running them at the correct effort is critical to extracting maximum benefit from the workout. From a pacing perspective, tempo runs are usually completed between 10-mile and half marathon pace, depending on the distance of the workout.
What are the training benefits of a tempo run
A tempo run, or lactate threshold run, is defined as the fastest pace you can run without generating more lactic acid than your body can utilize and reconvert back into energy.
As you learned in our quick lesson on lactic acid, your body can only “clear” or reconvert a certain about of lactic acid back into energy before the lactate floods our system and contributes to fatigue. To race faster, you must teach your body to clear lactate more efficiently.
By running just below your lactate threshold you can begin to decrease (or improve, depending on how you look at it) the pace at which you begin to produce too much lactic acid for your body to manage. This will enable you to run faster and longer before you produce more lactate than your body can clear, thus enabling you to run faster.
However, running too fast or too slow for a tempo run diminishes the benefits because you’ll either produce too much lactate quickly (by running too fast); or you’ll not produce enough lactate (running too slow) and not challenge your body. Therefore, it’s critical that you learn how to feel what tempo pace should be.
What does a tempo run feel like
A tempo run should feel like a “hard, but controlled effort”. You should be able to continue your tempo pace for 30-45 minutes. Again, you can use your breathing rhythm to monitor your effort.
Tempo runs should typically be performed while breathing at a 2:2 ratio (two steps – one with your left, one with your right – while breathing in; two steps – one with your left, one with your right – while breathing out). A 2:2 breathing rhythm enables you take about 45 breaths per minute.
The talk test
Likewise, you can use the same “talk test” mentioned above to determine if you’re running in the correct effort range. During a tempo run, you should be able to say one or two sentences out-loud, but you couldn’t speak in full paragraphs or complete thoughts. Try this talk test during your next tempo run and you’ll virtually guarantee you’re in the correct effort range.
Vo2max or speed workout
VO2max and speed workouts are often a runner’s favorite training day because they’re finally allowed to run hard and push the limits. However, it’s still important for you to learn what these paces feel like so you don’t start a session of 12 x 400 meters too fast and are unable to finish strong (or at all). From a pacing perspective, VO2max workouts are completed at 5k pace or faster.
What are the training benefits of a Vo2max workout
Defined simply, VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during exercise. It’s a combination of how much oxygen-rich blood your heart can pump and the muscles efficiency in extracting and utilizing the oxygen.
Training at VO2max increases the amount of oxygen your body can use; the more oxygen you can use, the faster you can run. In addition, since VO2max workouts are much faster than normal training, they force you to run more efficiently and with better form. Developing a proper feel for VO2 max work will enable you to push yourself further during speed sessions and complete workouts strong.
What does a VO2max workout feel like
A VO2max workout will feel near maximum effort. You should be breathing very hard and only feel like you would be able to keep running for another 100 meters after you finish your interval or only be able to run one or two more intervals at the end of a workout.
Typically, a VO2 max workout will require a very short breathing ratio to maximize the amount of oxygen to your lungs. Most runners use a 1:2 ratio (one step breathing in, two steps breathing out) or 2:1 ratio (two steps breathing in and one step breathing out) breathing rhythm. This will increase your oxygen uptake to 60 breaths per minute.
The talk test
The talk test for a VO2 max session is simple – when you start an interval you could blurt out a few words, but definitely not a full sentence. In the final half of your interval, you shouldn’t be able to talk at all.
While understanding training terminology is important, to translate these efforts appropriately to your training you need to appreciate what they feel like.
Learning to feel the proper pace in training isn’t just for beginners. Too many experienced runners neglect what their body is telling them and are driven by the numbers on their Garmin, which often results in overtraining and not getting the most bang for your buck from a workout. In addition, experienced and beginner runners alike can use the information about how a certain workout should feel to adjust their training for hot summer weather, hilly courses, and bad training days.